Rugby Raider wrote:
Sebasteeno wrote:
Sorry to burst anyone's bubble but my mate who lives in Oz called out the Reynolds signing saying he was finished and was just coming for a final payday as he was done in the Nrl. He's just said the same about Evans and also said wtf are FC and Hodgson doing?
Do people really expect the signing of Mckintosh, Lovadua and Evans are gonna suddenly change the team as I don't? I said a few weeks back we'd sign some supposed high profile player to try and sell season tickets and Evans is that except he's pretty poor - Should of let him sign for wakefield.
Another long hard season next year. If the bottom three get relegated to super league 2 we'll be lucky to not be in that bottom three imo. At best I'd say 8-9th.
I think we’ll go better next season. Firstly, if we get a fairer run on injuries/Covid next season that should help things for a start. Secondly, playing a full set of fixtures will address some of the imbalance in last season’s final league table.
On top of that, if we can cut out some of the lackluster performances e.g. Salford away, plus stupid discipline e.g. Jake at Wigan, then our final league position will be higher.
My take on this is what did some people expect in terms of changes? I've been quite critical of the club the past season but am relatively happy with the closed season business. Due to the previous Coaches signings and deals done the poorer performers where all contracted. BH has come in and only brought in Reynolds as a replacement for the departing Kelly who was heading back home. Unfortunately no one could have forseen the affect covid has had on individuals and the team but its evident it has impacted. As for Reynolds being finished he didnt look that finished at the start of the season it was only once he picked up his hamstring injury then the covid situation and our season went downhill from there. Its difficult for some players to travel on their own to the other side of the world and takes time to settle and thats when youi can meet and interact with people. To come over on you own and be isolated by a lockdown I would imagine is very difficult so I'll give Reynolds credit for sticking it out.
Again it was BH first season as Head Coach and he faced very challenging times but has used the aseason to fully address where changes needed to be made. He along with AP have gone and made these changes despite having a number of players still contracted for next season so credit is due there instead of just sitting back and saying nothing can be done until the end of next season.
When you look at the quality coming over from the NRL it really isnt that great across the board so who do some think we can bring over when you take in to account the situation with current contracts, paying off required, then splashing out big money for a so called star when the income streams for next season are still an unknown in terms or how many fans will return etc.
I'll reserve judgement on Reynolds and Evans until the mid point of the coming season as over the years I have seen a number of so called big stars come from the NRL and simply not deliver and seen a number of players that came over with no star billing and rip it up in SL.
BH has tried to address the issues within the squad and given the limitations personally I'm pleased . Would I have liked more? of course who wouldn't but I'm also realistic and understand the issues faced in making additions and changes due to the contracts already within the squad.
Hopefully we will also see changes in BH bench selection next season which is where we seemed to really struggle.
